Hearing loss decisions — 2009

The VA determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss was not incurred or aggravated by his active service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing impairment and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by his period of active military service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The issue of service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the right hand is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and knee replacements, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's conditions, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus at the time of his death, and thus denied the appellant's claims for accrued benefits related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus, as well as his requests for increased evaluations for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee and instability of the right knee, were all granted. The Veteran now has a 10 percent evaluation for each condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his active service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not related to service, including acoustic trauma in service. The evidence does not show a chronic disability during service or continuous symptoms after service separation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ear condition and hearing loss, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder, to include degenerative joint and disc disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not related to his period of service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was granted, with a 40 percent evaluation effective September 9, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service. As a result, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has current bilateral hearing loss and ear damage, including ear drum damage, related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is a result of noise exposure during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding no current diagnosis of these conditions and insufficient evidence linking them to active service.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and thus denied service connection for both conditions.